Is it safe to play around with Amino Acids?

Jen_222 · 12-01-2008, 08:20 PM

I've read The Diet Cure -- I started on the lowest possible dosages of L-glutamine, Tyrosine, GABA, DLPA, Chromium, etc. all fell into the areas that I needed assistance according to the questionairres. I realize that aminos are found in food and that taking supplements is a means of making sure that I'm firing on all cylinders.

A question to those of you who really know their stuff -- are there side effects of using these supplements?

I feel tremendously better already and I realize that the supplementation is temporary as well -- I did read the book cover to cover -- just looking for a second or third opinion.

Thanks!

beachguy · 12-02-2008, 04:12 AM

At low doses you are probably OK. But I recently had my heart rate and blood pressure increase dramatically and I believe it is related to the amino acids I am taking. There is a lot of conflicting information on the web about side effects. For example, I have found references to tyrosine both raising and lowering blood pressure. I'm pretty sure in my case it has raised it.

It's best if you take the amino acids in coordination with your doctor.

Tiffany2288 · 12-02-2008, 04:28 AM

I'm almost done reading this book too....was going to ask a similiar question about aminos too. Thanks for the info. Will taking aminos affect my blood pressure if I have perfect blood pressure and am considered athletic? My resting heart rate is between 49-52....doc says that is because of all the cardio I do and that my heart could handle running a marathon...try telling that to me legs though LOL!

thestreets · 12-02-2008, 05:13 AM

i think the doses she prescribes are fine, and you shouldn't have side effects. she provides that table of "you shouldnt take these aminos if you have these problems"

but like everything,. start with a small dose, and check if anything applies to you on that reasons not to take certain supplements list. esp if you are taking lots of prescription meds or have chronic diseases.

and yes if you megadose the side effect can be the same symptoms as deficiency. so for example it is easy to think more is better and start with a huge dose, somethng like gaba in a mega dose will give you anxiety.

but generally aminos are the safest supplement you can take. but some work better for you than others so if you feel weird or off stop taking them and see what other substitutes you can take. like how she give you tryptophan/5htp/st.johns wart/ etc.

anniemo · 12-02-2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thestreets

i think the doses she prescribes are fine, and you shouldn't have side effects. she provides that table of "you shouldnt take these aminos if you have these problems"

but like everything,. start with a small dose, and check if anything applies to you on that reasons not to take certain supplements list. esp if you are taking lots of prescription meds or have chronic diseases.

and yes if you megadose the side effect can be the same symptoms as deficiency. so for example it is easy to think more is better and start with a huge dose, somethng like gaba in a mega dose will give you anxiety.

but generally aminos are the safest supplement you can take. but some work better for you than others so if you feel weird or off stop taking them and see what other substitutes you can take. like how she give you tryptophan/5htp/st.johns wart/ etc.

i agree. also, every person's body reacts differently. because i have lupus i am prone to high blood pressure, but l-tyrosine doesn't seem to raise or lower it for me. i've been taking my aminos for a few months now just recently had a check up. i did notice that i can only take GABA Calm during the day and not regular GABA because it makes me super sleepy. listening to your body and how it reacts is a huge part of the journey.

Vanessa120 · 12-02-2008, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany2288

I'm almost done reading this book too....was going to ask a similiar question about aminos too. Thanks for the info. Will taking aminos affect my blood pressure if I have perfect blood pressure and am considered athletic? My resting heart rate is between 49-52....doc says that is because of all the cardio I do and that my heart could handle running a marathon...try telling that to me legs though LOL!

That low of a resting heart rate can also be related to un/undertreated hypothyroidism. When the thryoid is low the sympathetic tone is also low (reflexes, heart rate, blood pressure). Doctors mistake this for great cardiac funtion. I know mine did.

Jen_222 · 12-02-2008, 06:08 AM

Thanks for the thoughts guys -- I've started with the lowest dosages and I didn't take any of the supps that I considered to be "borderline necessary" for me. Also I don't take any prescription meds and don't have any of the conditions that she mentioned in the "don't take if you..." list. So far I feel much better and will keep listening to my body.

Tiffany2288 · 12-02-2008, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanessa120

That low of a resting heart rate can also be related to un/undertreated hypothyroidism. When the thryoid is low the sympathetic tone is also low (reflexes, heart rate, blood pressure). Doctors mistake this for great cardiac funtion. I know mine did.

Great info, thanks so much! I am hypothyroid and am on meds but the dose is so low that I haven't seen a change in my daily life. I am going to call my doc this week to discuss this, thanks alot, I really appreciate the info.

jem51 · 12-02-2008, 08:04 AM

my liver enzymes increase w lysine and glutamine. i would be careful w amts. i was using 8g glutamine for healing my gut. lysine for cold sores when i was working. since i quit work, i no longer get cold sores and if i get one, i'll just deal w it. for healing my gut, i just must stay vlc. my liver health is important!! if your metabolic panel shows an increase and your using any aminos, stop using them and things should normalise unless you have some other problem. i have been tested for hepatitis and my ultrasound showed nothing....

12-01-2008, 08:20 PM	#1
Jen_222 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In limbo.... Posts: 26 Gallery: Jen_222 Stats: 150ish/130ish WOE: M/E + greens Start Date: Nov. 2008	Is it safe to play around with Amino Acids? I've read The Diet Cure -- I started on the lowest possible dosages of L-glutamine, Tyrosine, GABA, DLPA, Chromium, etc. all fell into the areas that I needed assistance according to the questionairres. I realize that aminos are found in food and that taking supplements is a means of making sure that I'm firing on all cylinders. A question to those of you who really know their stuff -- are there side effects of using these supplements? I feel tremendously better already and I realize that the supplementation is temporary as well -- I did read the book cover to cover -- just looking for a second or third opinion. Thanks!

12-02-2008, 04:28 AM	#3
Tiffany2288 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NYC/NJ Posts: 1,912 Gallery: Tiffany2288 Stats: 149/127/120 5'4 WOE: Atkins 72 BMI was 28.8% now is 22% Start Date: Aug 15th 2008	I'm almost done reading this book too....was going to ask a similiar question about aminos too. Thanks for the info. Will taking aminos affect my blood pressure if I have perfect blood pressure and am considered athletic? My resting heart rate is between 49-52....doc says that is because of all the cardio I do and that my heart could handle running a marathon...try telling that to me legs though LOL! Last edited by Tiffany2288 : 12-02-2008 at 04:30 AM.

12-02-2008, 05:13 AM	#4
thestreets MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,265 Gallery: thestreets Stats: 140/110 5'6 WOE: Atkins - it's a diet	i think the doses she prescribes are fine, and you shouldn't have side effects. she provides that table of "you shouldnt take these aminos if you have these problems" but like everything,. start with a small dose, and check if anything applies to you on that reasons not to take certain supplements list. esp if you are taking lots of prescription meds or have chronic diseases. and yes if you megadose the side effect can be the same symptoms as deficiency. so for example it is easy to think more is better and start with a huge dose, somethng like gaba in a mega dose will give you anxiety. but generally aminos are the safest supplement you can take. but some work better for you than others so if you feel weird or off stop taking them and see what other substitutes you can take. like how she give you tryptophan/5htp/st.johns wart/ etc. Last edited by thestreets : 12-02-2008 at 05:15 AM.

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12-02-2008, 04:12 AM	#2
beachguy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern VA Posts: 646 Gallery: beachguy Stats: 320/277/240 WOE: Low carb Start Date: July 4, 2002	At low doses you are probably OK. But I recently had my heart rate and blood pressure increase dramatically and I believe it is related to the amino acids I am taking. There is a lot of conflicting information on the web about side effects. For example, I have found references to tyrosine both raising and lowering blood pressure. I'm pretty sure in my case it has raised it. It's best if you take the amino acids in coordination with your doctor.

12-02-2008, 06:08 AM	#7
Jen_222 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In limbo.... Posts: 26 Gallery: Jen_222 Stats: 150ish/130ish WOE: M/E + greens Start Date: Nov. 2008	Thanks for the thoughts guys -- I've started with the lowest dosages and I didn't take any of the supps that I considered to be "borderline necessary" for me. Also I don't take any prescription meds and don't have any of the conditions that she mentioned in the "don't take if you..." list. So far I feel much better and will keep listening to my body.

12-02-2008, 08:04 AM	#9
jem51 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south central OR Posts: 2,229 Gallery: jem51 Stats: oh so happy at 120 WOE: EFGT Start Date: controlled carb '97-98	my liver enzymes increase w lysine and glutamine. i would be careful w amts. i was using 8g glutamine for healing my gut. lysine for cold sores when i was working. since i quit work, i no longer get cold sores and if i get one, i'll just deal w it. for healing my gut, i just must stay vlc. my liver health is important!! if your metabolic panel shows an increase and your using any aminos, stop using them and things should normalise unless you have some other problem. i have been tested for hepatitis and my ultrasound showed nothing....